Bridal Chamber, Calling Another Man's Name

Zhai Dongming once said, assassination isn't impossible—it just depends on who the target is. Assassinating a prince or princess of a country is nearly hopeless, but targeting Serena Feng? That's not so hard.

After today's events, Xiling Tianlei probably wants to eat her alive, and as for Nanling Jinfan—judging by how petty that man is, with William Wang Jinling pressing him so hard today, he'll definitely make her pay for it someday. If he can't get her in the open, he'll come for her in the shadows.

Thinking about it gave Serena a headache. She barely solved one problem before another piled on—she really was a magnet for trouble. Serena mourned silently: Heaven gave her the luck to attract disaster, but why couldn't it have given her the status to crush it too?

Recalling Ninth Royal Uncle's warning, Serena deliberately slowed her steps, waiting for William Wang Jinling to catch up. Caution never goes amiss—with the eldest son of the Wang clan by her side, most people wouldn't dare make a move.

"Serena, wait up."

But before William caught up, Prince Adrian appeared instead.

Although Prince Adrian holds the title of prince, he never meddles in state affairs. Of course, he wouldn't stay behind to discuss politics at a time like this. The only thing he must do for Eastlyn is wait until the appointed time to marry Princess Yara of Lyndaria.

That's the fate of imperial princes and grandsons—even if you are favored, as long as you live off the royal family's support, you must pay your dues. Marriage is just one part of it.

"Is there something you need, Your Highness?" Serena had already stepped out of the throne hall. Because she and Prince Adrian were seated closest to the imperial throne, they were among the last to exit. Only a few ministers lingered ahead, but when they heard Prince Adrian speak, each one dawdled, refusing to leave.

Prince Adrian's mind and eyes were focused solely on Serena Feng; he couldn't care less about those others. Serena wanted to say something, but seeing their eyes gleaming with curiosity, she knew that even if she tried to shoo them away, it would be useless—they wouldn't listen to her anyway.

Seeing Serena's cool indifference, Prince Adrian grew nervous and awkward. Here he was, a dignified prince, but in front of Serena, all his pride was gone. "Serena, I... I..."

"If you have something to say, Your Highness, please just say it." Serena was running out of patience. William Wang Jinling had already come out; if she didn't hurry, someone might snatch him away. Right now, William was the hottest figure in court.

Prince Adrian took a deep breath. He knew if he didn't speak up now, he'd never get another chance. He looked at Serena with heartfelt longing. "Serena, I really like you. I wanted to marry you as my principal consort, but after what happened with Princess Yara... I..."

Honestly, Adrian was innocent in the whole Yara mess—he hadn't done anything wrong.

Serena felt a chill at Adrian's gaze and cut him off before he could finish: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. But since you're about to marry Princess Yara, please don't say things like that again."

This was how men loved in this era—they could marry one woman while declaring love for another, expecting her to accept being a concubine. No guilt, no shame; it was just how things worked here.

Marry someone of equal rank as the wife, take the woman you truly love as a concubine, give the wife her dignity, and while you still care, shower the concubine with affection.

Everyone else thought this was normal—but Serena Feng couldn't accept it.

"But the one I want to marry is you!" Adrian blurted, his voice full of urgency and sincerity. He really meant it—he wanted Serena as his wife.

"Your Highness, marrying Princess Yara isn't something you can change. You don't get to choose your own marriage, so please stop saying these things—you're just making things harder for everyone." Serena saw the longing in Adrian's eyes, but she understood his plan, so her refusal was gentle but final.

Adrian finally got to the real point: "Serena, would you be my side-consort? I swear, except for the main wife's position, I'd give you everything else."

"Sorry, Your Highness, but I have zero interest in sharing a husband with Princess Yara." Serena chose her words to spare Adrian's pride—men were all about saving face, and she didn't want to make an enemy.

"But marrying Yara isn't what I want—I don't want to marry her." Adrian protested, aggrieved. If he'd known things would turn out like this, he wouldn't have gone to Ninth Royal Uncle's villa, let alone touched that Snowbrew.

Snowbrew. Yes, it must be the Snowbrew.

Adrian's eyes lit up. He grabbed Serena's hands, blurting, "Serena, it has to be the Snowbrew! Something was wrong with it. After we drank it, everything with Princess Yara happened. Ninth Royal Uncle—Serena, let's go find Ninth Royal Uncle right now!"

Maybe he'd been protected too much, or maybe he was just too impulsive, but Adrian hadn't thought about what kind of trouble his words could bring to Ninth Royal Uncle—or to Eastlyn itself.

"Let go." Serena hated—really hated—having her hand grabbed. Up to now, she could count on one hand the people she'd ever let hold hers.

Ninth Royal Uncle was one, Lan Jiuqing was another. William Wang Jinling did it sometimes, and she could tolerate that.

"Serena, listen—I'm sure it was Ninth Royal Uncle..." Adrian was so caught up in his excitement, he didn't notice Serena's growing annoyance.

Serena's head throbbed. She didn't wait for Adrian to finish and snapped, "Shut up!"

"Serena, I... I was framed!" Adrian protested, totally confused by Serena's anger. Wouldn't clearing things up be better?

Serena's head throbbed again. How could the Emperor have raised Adrian to be so naive? She couldn't decide if it was a blessing or a curse.

"Your Highness, keep your guesses to yourself. No matter what the truth is, the outcome is set: you ruined Princess Yara's reputation, and now you have to marry her. That's it."

Besides, you don't actually know what happened—it's just a guess. And that guess could land Eastlyn in a dangerous spot.

Don't forget, Your Highness, you're Eastlyn royalty. Whatever you do has to put Eastlyn's interests first. Otherwise, even the Emperor won't be able to save you.

Serena leaned in close, half-threatening, half-intimidating, whispering into Adrian's ear so no one else could hear.

All Adrian noticed was Serena's warm breath—his mind went fuzzy, and he just kept nodding, not even catching what she said.

Anyway, whatever Serena said was probably right.

Finally, someone who can be taught!

Serena thought Adrian had finally gotten it and nodded, satisfied. Seeing how obedient he was, she decided to disgust Princess Yara a little—planting a seed of resentment in Adrian's heart toward her.

"Your Highness, I know it must hurt your pride to marry a woman whose heart belongs to someone else—who even called another man's name on your wedding night. But this is how things are; neither of us can change it. All I can do is wish you and Princess Yara a harmonious marriage and a long life together." With her earlier words already drawing blood, Serena's 'blessing' came off as almost wickedly funny.

"Pfft!"

William Wang Jinling prided himself on being a gentleman, never laughing at others, but hearing Serena's words, he couldn't help but laugh.

Serena, you really are a piece of work!